Domestic air passenger traffic increases 26% in July

The air travel demand in India surged 26.2 percent in July as against the average global demand of 3.8 percent.

Backed by low airfares and an increase in aircraft capacity by domestic carriers, India's domestic air passenger traffic grew over 26 percent in July as compared to the same month in the previous year.

Domestic air carriers such as IndiGo, SpiceJet, Jet Airways, GoAir and Air India flew 5.60 crore passengers during the January to July period in 2016, as against 4.55 crore passengers flown during the corresponding period in the previous year, marking a growth of 23 percent.

Air travel in India increased 26.2 percent during the month of July, when compared to the global demand increase of 3.8 percent during the same period, Press Trust of India reported.

"Domestic travel demand globally climbed 3.8 per cent in July compared to July 2015, its slowest pace in 19 months. Even as China and India are booming while more mature markets are stuck in neutral," the monthly air passenger traffic data by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) showed.

Market share

In July, IndiGo retained its position as the top carrier in terms of market share, which stood at 39.8 percent, which increased from 37.9 percent in June. Market share of Jet Airways (16.3 percent), GoAir (8.4 percent) and AirAsia India (2.2 percent) remained the same since June.

Tata Sons-controlled airline Vistara witnessed a drop in its market share to 2.6 percent, as compared to 2.8 percent in June. Similarly, state run-carrier Air India also saw a fall in its market share to 14.8 percent from 15.5 percent in the previous month.

In July, SpiceJet recorded lower domestic share at 11.7 percent, as compared to 12.7 percent in the previous month, according to statistics from civil aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

Passenger load factor

SpiceJet recorded the highest passenger load factor (PLF) at 92 percent in July, followed by GoAir at 90.3 percent. The PLF of Air India was lower at 80.3 percent as compared to 82 percent in June.